Second Guard (38 page)

Princess Xiomara stepped next to Jaden, a huge smile lighting up her eyes. “Let the festivities begin!”

The Alcazar grounds had been transformed, looking more like a festival than a training ground for warriors. Queen Twenty-two had declared this night a celebration of Tequende’s victory,
inviting all the families of the realm who had played a part in the battle to come together. There had been several ceremonies to mourn the dead over the past two months, but the time had come to
praise the Gods for their triumph. Tali knew from Brindl that the Queen had sent a dozen of her own servants from Fugaza to help prepare the evening’s celebration. And they have made her
proud, thought Tali, taking in the sight with awe.

Hundreds of lanterns hung from trees and torches lit the walkways. Music spilled out from a practice ring turned dance floor as a traditional Tequendian band played on a makeshift stage. Their
stringed instruments and flutes created lively music, full of happiness, and people had already begun to dance.

Jessa’s weaponry arena had been transformed into an outdoor banquet hall. The rough-planked dining tables from the Great Hall had been carried outside and covered with pale blue
tablecloths, and wildflower bouquets filled the air with a sweet scent of the mountains. Along the outer rim of the arena, long tables laden with delicious foods waited for hungry guests. One table
held dozens of cheeses, some hard, others creamy, with fresh herbs and jams alongside them. Another table offered stacks of tiny cakes, each one more fanciful than the next, with crusts of sugared
icings. Roasted ducks, grilled trout, and slabs of pork were all set out for the guests to enjoy.
Enough for a week or more.
Tali nibbled on a slice of cheese as she looked around for her
family.

Despite the huge crowd, Tali soon found herself in the strong embrace of Alondro Sanchez, her beloved father, who had given up his boat and nearly his life to come to her aid in battle. While
Tali was in the hospital recovering, Nel had told her how their father had been one of the brave traders who set his own boat on fire, then jumped in the lake to help sabotage the longboats.

Tali spent some time walking the grounds with him and Nel, letting the festive atmosphere and the company of those she loved most lighten her sorrow. A moment after they sat down to eat, Ory
jumped out from behind her, making her spill a forkful of cake onto her lap.

“There you are, Tali topper! I couldn’t nearly find you under all that fluff-fluffery,” he said, looking in dismay at Tali’s dress. When he saw the piece of cake on her
lap, he popped it in his mouth and grinned.

Tali threw her arms around the boy and pulled him into a tight hug, despite his salty protests. After she introduced him to her amused family members, Ory entertained them all with stories about
Boulder and the current crop of “firsties” down in the salt mines. Before long, Zarif, Brindl, and Chey had joined them as well, and Tali’s heart felt true joy for the first time
in several long months as they each took turns telling stories and exchanging news.

The happy mood came to a halt an hour later when two royal guards made their way over to the table. “We have a summons from the Commander’s Tower,” one announced, while the
other unrolled a small parchment. A hush fell over the group at the solemn pronouncement. Only Ory’s eyes grew big with curiosity and excitement.

“Zarif Baz Hasan, Chey Maconde, Talimendra Sanchez, and Brindl Tacora, sworn second-born servants of Tequende: your presence is requested immediately.”

A
s they crossed the short distance to the tower, Tali tried not to let worry creep into her mind. It was no use. The last time she had stepped
inside the Commander’s Tower, she had been sent to the dungeon. I nearly deserved it too, thought Tali. How could I have been so wrong about everything? Now that she knew the full story,
Jaden’s actions and disappearances of the past year made complete sense. He had been investigating his own father, following clues, and sometimes, as in last year’s dismissed pledges,
trying to atone for the many sins of Commander Telendor. His father had everyone fooled but him. Tali’s face burned, remembering the cruel accusations she had flung at Jaden in
Saavedra’s cottage.

As they reached the top of the stairs, the friends exchanged a quick look.

Two royal guards stood sentry at the door, which stood open. The guards gestured for the group to enter.

Tali went first and immediately dropped to one knee. The others quickly followed suit. Behind the desk sat Princess Xiomara, not Jaden.

The princess smiled warmly at their surprised faces. “Please sit,” she said, motioning to the chairs in front of her. Once they were settled, the princess continued. “Forgive
me for interrupting your festivities, but I must speak to you now of serious matters.” She paused for a moment and signaled for her guards to close the door. “Despite the victory we
celebrate tonight, the threat of war remains. The Andorians do not take their defeat lightly and will try again. Meanwhile, the Castillians to the north pace their own floors, wondering if they
should take us before the Andorians try again.”

Tali and the others nodded somberly. They had discussed this very worry among themselves several times over the last two months, though hearing the princess speak of it made the possibility of
war seem much more real.

“On the first night of the Corn Moon, I will celebrate my sixteenth year, and Queen Twenty-two will officially proclaim me Queen-in-Waiting,” the princess continued, her voice strong
and matter-of-fact, though her eyes revealed more complex emotions. “As such, I will be assigned my own wing of the royal palace as well as a retinue of personal servants, advisers, and
guards.” The princess looked down at her hands and twisted the silver ring on her finger. “I had always thought Saavedra would be at my side when this day came,” she said, her
voice becoming softer.

Tali swallowed the lump in her throat and looked down at her own hands, still trapped inside the embroidered gloves.

“But he is not,” Xiomara continued, clearing her throat and resuming her earlier tone, “and therefore, I would ask
you
, Zarif, to accompany me back to Fugaza and act
as my First Adviser and Royal Librarian in his stead.”

Zarif could not hide his surprise or pleasure. “It would be my great honor to serve you, Princess.”

Xiomara turned to Brindl next. “I would appoint you, Brindl, my Pigeonkeep and Master of Messages.” Though a command rather than a question, the princess smiled as she spoke, to
soften her words.

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Brindl answered, then rose and curtsied in a formal manner, her cheeks pink with delight.

“Tali and Chey,” Xiomara said, looking at each of them in turn, “I would have you serve as my Royal Guards in Fugaza and wherever I may travel throughout the realm.”

Tali and Chey turned toward each other and smiled, then answered simultaneously.

“Of course, Your Highness,” said Tali, dipping her head in gratitude.

“It would be an honor,” Chey replied, bowing his own head in obedience.

“Then it is decided,” the princess said, rising from the desk. “I am well pleased. Now go back to your party and enjoy this beautiful evening.”

The four friends knelt again to take their leave. As they filed out of the room, Tali could not help but look back at the young princess.

“Yes?” Xiomara asked, seeing the question in Tali’s eyes.

“Will you—” Tali bit back her words, knowing she was being much too bold, but couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Will you not marry Jaden, then?”

Xiomara tilted her head and scrutinized Tali, who felt a blush creep into her cheeks.
I should not have asked.

“I have never intended to marry,” Xiomara finally answered, twisting her ring again before folding her hands on the desk. “I was born to serve the realm as Queen, not wife or
mother, and I intend to fulfill that commitment. Jaden is a trusted friend, no more.”

Tali dipped her head again in response, her face still burning. Thank Intiq her friends had not heard this last exchange, or they would have never let her forget it.

For the rest of the party, Tali and her friends could not contain their excitement. Zarif, especially, could not stop talking about their new future in Fugaza, eager to tell them
all about his beloved city and what they would see there. At last, he has come back to us, Tali thought, watching the light return to his eyes. Chey, finally tired of all the talking, grabbed
Nel’s hand for a dance. She tried to refuse, pointing at her ear to remind him that she could hear no music, but he waved off her objections with his good arm and pulled her out into the
ring, where they began twirling around as if they’d been dancing together all their lives.

“The Earth Guilder’s been hiding another talent from us,” Tali said, elbowing Zarif and pointing to the couple. Nel was throwing her head back in laughter as Chey lifted her
off the ground with one arm and spun her around.

“They should add dancing to the Clash as a new competition,” Zarif said. “Chey would be the certain victor.”

Tali grinned at her friend. “Zarif Baz Hasan, did you just make a joke?”

“No idea,” Zarif said, then winked at her.

As the next dance started up, Father Sanchez pulled Tali into the fray, and she lost herself to the music and merriment for some time. Later, as she took a break near the edge of the dance floor
to sip a lemonsong, Tali caught sight of Jaden walking along the pier, where empty tradeboats lay anchored. She had not seen him at the party, though she had frequently scanned the crowd for him,
wondering if he would make an appearance. Seeing him now snagged her thoughts like a thorn on a rose, and she slipped off to follow him.

When she finally neared him he was standing at the end of the dock, peering out at the moonlit lake. “Commander, may I have a word?” she called to him before she lost her nerve.

“Tali,” Jaden said in surprise, as he turned and caught sight of her. “I commend you on your appointment to the Guard. It is well earned.”

“I…thank you, sir.” Tali paused, then cleared her throat, feeling as if she’d just swallowed sand. Her hands felt damp and clammy and she suddenly didn’t know what
to do with them or how to stand in front of the Queen’s Sword, wearing a silly dress and gloves. “I must apologize to you for my accusations.”

“No need,” he answered gruffly. “You’re not to blame.”

“I did not see the truth, though it was plain as Elia tonight,” Tali said, looking up at the Moon Goddess, who graced the night sky with her entire face.

“No, I obscured that truth, out of loyalty to my father.” Jaden paused, following Tali’s gaze to the moon, then looking directly at her before continuing. “I tried to be
my father for so long. Ruthless and demanding. Powerful and unyielding. I never wanted to disappoint him. I never imagined he would disappoint me.”

“It was a shock to us all,” Tali answered. They stood together for a time, staring out at the reflection of the moon on water.

“I’ll miss it here,” Tali said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“But you will have Fugaza to keep you busy,” Jaden answered, turning slightly to face her.

“You know, then? That I will serve Princess Xiomara?”

“It was my idea, in fact,” he said, nodding once. “As I told you another night many moons ago, I have high hopes for you, Talimendra.”

“I will not disappoint you, Jaden,” she said, realizing too late that she had used his name instead of his title. She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her gaze for a long moment. All these long months she had waited to gain his attention, his approval. She would not squirm, turn away, or drop her
eyes like a child. Jaden’s face was a mixture of a hundred emotions, and Tali tried to parse out which ones were meant for her. Gently, he tucked a strand of her hair, loose from the
elaborate braid, behind her ear. His thumb brushed her cheek.